The Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma, in which the former won on penalties, received a lot of attention. Mostly because Roma coach José Mourinho scolded referee Anthony Taylor first during the game and then searched him in the garage with a bucket of water afterward.

The next day, cell phone videos show the supreme judge and his family being harassed and taunted at the airport.

– It is clear that fans are easy to agree with their coach, especially when it comes to Mourinho. He is skilled at getting people to join and mobilizing fans around the clubs he coaches. When he also wins trophies for Roma and receives high stars there, and then the referees hang out like he did, it’s easy for frustrated fans to throw themselves away, says NRK football writer Thore Haugstad.

– “I very much doubt that Taylor would have been treated like this if Mourinho and the staff had not focused too much on the decision,” he added.

Both the Association of English Referees and the Premier League are published on Friday statement.

“We are shocked and appalled by the unacceptable abuse directed at Anthony Taylor and his family on their return from the Europa League final. No one should experience unforgivable behavior like the one they experienced yesterday. Anthony is one of our most experienced and decorated referees and we fully support him and his family,” said the Premier League.

Should be punished more severely

Ola Hobber Nilsen has been a top referee on Eliteserien for several years, in addition to refereeing several international football matches. He believes there is a clear connection between Mourinho’s behavior and the events after the game.

– The connection is clear. A coach’s behavior often reflects how players behave, which in turn is linked to how fans behave. The fans saw how Mourinho and the players behaved against Anthony Taylor. What did they do when they met Taylor as a person? Yes, then you just have to do what the players and coaches do, Nilsen told NRK.

Nilsen emphasizes that the consequences of this also extend beyond the youngest watching and learning from the older.

– Young people are often role models when it comes to being good players who are good at dribbling or good coaches tactically. So people tend to think that all the qualities that these role models have are good. People might think that this kind of behavior towards referees is part of being a good player, or a good coach, said Nilsen.

He said the problem was widespread, but believed a change in regulations could help avoid such incidents in the future.

– It’s hard enough as an international referee to be the one who has to deal with Mourinho alone. I think it’s a good thing to reward the responsible referees and enforce this, something FIFA and UEFA have not done in the past.

– I also think we will see it less if it has sporting consequences. For example, a player must be sent off if the coach receives a red card and fails to behave. But it would be very dramatic, Nilsen said with a laugh.

He added:

– First of all, about integration and regulation. Such incidents should have clearer consequences and be punished more severely.

Reflected by young people

“We are struggling with the hiring of referees,” president of football Lise Klaveness told NRK earlier this week.

Morten André Stokke is the leader of the Norwegian Breddedommerforening, and has refereed himself for over 35 years. As a general judge, he has seen several examples of young people reflecting a “mature” attitude.

– Undoubtedly a change in attitude from above is needed, because someone is in charge here. When you get word that a 14-year-old judge has surrendered due to sedition, it is difficult to recruit new judges, said Stokke.

He believes that the Norwegian Football Association should hire a person to deal with such incidents, who has full responsibility for inciting the referee.

Nevertheless, he pointed out that all of them came from the “top teams”, and especially from the biggest international leagues.

– The greatest coaches like Pep, Mourinho and Klopp should be punished more severely when they come up against referees like this. “I think FIFA and UEFA should be more draconian in the decision and set a clear example,” said Stokke

– Coordinated strategy

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was fined and banned for the final home game of the season after cheering before the fourth official and then expressing his displeasure with referee Paul Tierney after the game against Tottenham in April.

And Klopp, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Tottenham’s Cristian Stellini and former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch are just a few of the managers who have seen red cards.

– Why do you think so many famous managers are as outspoken as they are?

– Most of it is probably anger, frustration, and adrenaline. They are winners under great pressure. But I also think the good numbers hope it pays off to put some pressure on the judges. No one wants to be a “good” team that only accepts decisions against them. If we go back to Mourinho, he constantly asked his players to protest regularly. Then it’s not just anger and frustration; it’s a coordinated strategy, says Haugstad.

Haugstad points out that referees need to be more consistent if coaches are to change behavior.

– Referees have now been given yellow and red cards which they can give to coaches, and they can use them earlier in the game. There is a principle that only the captain should speak to the referee, and that must be followed more strictly, says the football writer.

– What are the consequences of role models treating others with disrespect?

– In the worst case, it can become a normal and accepted part of the trainer. If things go on like this, we will soon be lucky if there are more jurors, said Haugstad.